Note: I have set the dial to Heavy wash, 12 minute wash cycle. This really scrubs dirty clothes.Ladies, most machines have a Gentle setting for your Fragile things.

2. Pull or push to start the water flowing.

​Choose one of the piles to wash (remember do not put the cat in the washing machine under any circumstances)​Open the lid and distribute the clothes evenly within the machine.

Measure approximately one capful of laundry detergent.

Pour detergent into the bowl of the machine under the flowing water.

When you see the soap bubbles forming, your job is almost done.Close the lid.

Wait.The washing machine fills with water, scrubs, drains dirty soapy water, fills with water, rinses, drains any remaining dirty soapy water and spins the loose water out of your clothes - ALL BY ITSELF.​It will beep to let you know that the washing is done.Reference: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Do-Your-Own-Laundry-basic/

HOW TO DRY CLOTHES IN A CLOTHES DRYER

Drying your clothes in a clothes dryer saves time, but it takes more than just shoving your clothes in and turning the machine on. You need to read the care labels on the clothing and know what kind of heat the fabric can take. Otherwise, you’ll end up with shrunken clothes or damaged fibers. Your clothes won’t last as long, and you’ll end up spending money to replace damaged items.

Shake out each item as you take it out of the washing machine.Shaking out your stuff before you throw it into the dryer might seem like a waste of time, but this really does help prevent wrinkles and cut down on drying time.

Don’t overload the dryer thinking that you’ll save time — it’ll have the opposite effect. Instead, your clothes will take longer to dry and get more wrinkled because there’s not enough room in the dryer for the clothes to fluff out.

Add a dryer sheet to the dryer — if you didn’t use a liquid fabric softener during the wash cycle.

The dryer sheets not only help to soften your clothes, they also reduce static cling. Note that using dryer sheets on towels can make towels a bit less absorbable, so if that’s important to you, then forgo the drer sheet.

Choose the right setting, or cycle, for your clothes:

Cotton: High heat for towels, jeans, sweats, and other heavy fabricsPermanent press: Medium heat for synthetic fabricsGentle: Low heat for delicate items like lingerie and workout clothesAir dry: No heat — great for fluffing pillows or refreshing clothes

Remove your clothes from the dryer as soon as possible to prevent wrinkles from setting in.​Shake out your stuff, neatly fold them, or hang anything you want to be wrinkle-free.

How to Clean

Step-by-Step Guide to a Clean House

Before you start going room to room, pause first to put on some great, lively music. That’s better. Now pick up clutter, and as you go, feel free to second-guess your belongings. The less you have, the less you have to put away, clean, and dust: scrutinize books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, furniture, toys the kids have outgrown, old computers you’ve outgrown, old clothes and shoes in the closets…is it time to donate and recycle? Turn off light bulbs and ceiling fans as you go for the upcoming dusting work.

Speaking of closets, if you have any that you’re afraid to open, face your fears its time to minimize and organize.

Dust (go left to right, top to bottom) with microfiber cloths. This will lower allergens and improve the air quality in your house. Dampened cloths tied to the ends of mops and brooms work great for removing cobwebs. For slatted blinds, use the string to close them one way and dust, then close them the other way and repeat…it’s effective and a lot more efficient than trying to do one slat at a time. Don’t forget to hit the tops of doors, fans, light fixtures, picture frames and yes, each of your knick-knacks (keep them in display cases to reduce dusting work). For the face of framed photos, TV screens, and computer monitors, use glass cleaner on your cotton cloth or microfiber to avoid streaking.

Vacuum. Make sure your bag/compartment isn’t already full, and use the right settings and attachments. Hit the floors in the whole house, and upholstered furniture. Be amazed at all those missing items (socks, your favorite pen) that you find under your couch cushions.

Sweep/mop/treat floors (except kitchen). For mopping, start at the farthest corner of the room and move back toward the entrance. Rinse mop after completing each 4 x 4 foot area.

Furniture freshening. Every now and then, some wooden furniture needs a good waxing.

KITCHEN

Wipe down countertops and cabinets (start at immediate right of the stove).

Use a streak-free glass cleaner (don’t spray on too much) and wipe with newspapers.

Clean large and hard-to-reach windows with a professional-quality squeegee.

Clean window screens by removing from frame and scrubbing with all-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Scrub each screen with a bristle brush, rinse with outdoor hose and insert back into window to dry.